Supporting guidance for Supplementary Feeding for Golden Eagles

Date published: 30 March, 2015

Supplementary feeding is used to supply eagles with carrion to improve their overwinter survival and to help get them into good condition for the breeding season. It is not an incentive to cull additional deer, and should be carried out as part of your planned deer cull.

Place deer in locations which are open and easily accessible to eagles, such as ridges, knolls or open slopes. You should also place deer away from public footpaths or watercourses.

Eagle ranges can be quite large so where your land holding does not extend to the whole of a golden eagle’s range, then liaise with neighbouring land managers to ensure that the supplementary food is provided in a planned way.

All deer management should be carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines and all relevant legislation. Ideally, use non-lead ammunition.